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Century Election: Hawkins, Johnston In Runoff; McMurray Jackson Elected
October 6, 2010
One Century Town Council race is headed into a runoff while another candidate defeated her opponent by a narrow margin in Tuesday’s primary election.
Sandra McMurray Jackson was elected to the Seat 5 on the council currently held by Sharon Scott, who did not see re-election. Jackson is the owner of Jackson-McMurray Funeral Services in Century. She defeated retired insurance agent Annie Carter Savage by just eight votes — 164 to 156. The narrow margin, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford, was not great enough to trigger an automatic recount.
“I’ll feel truly blessed,” Jackson said after learning she had been elected to the council. “I love Century; I love the people here in Century.”
Incumbent Henry Hawkins and political newcomer Jacke Johnston will meet in a runoff on November 9 for the council’s Seat 3. Hawkins, a Pensacola State College instructor and retired Air Force staff sergeant, received 44.55 percent of the vote — shy of the 50 percent needed for a win. Johnston, a teacher at Byrneville Elementary School, received 32.71 percent of the vote, while Robert Lasher, an Edward D. Jones financial adviser, finished third with 22.74 percent.
Hawkins was not present at the vote count Tuesday evening at Century City Hall.
“I’m really excited. I’m ready to part of a council that work together to do what is best for all of the citizens of Century,” Johnston said Tuesday night.
Gary Riley, who is retired from Gulf Power, ran unopposed and was re-elected to Seat 4.
For a photo gallery from Tuesday night’s vote count at Century Town Hall, click here.
Each Century Town Council member serves four years, with staggered elections for council members and mayor held every two years.
Pictured top: Newly elected Century Town Council member Sandra McMurray Jackson gets a congratulatory hug from Mayor Freddie McCall as she is announced as a primary election winner Tuesday night. Pictured bottom inset: Third place finisher for Seat 3, Robert Lasher (background), listens as vote totals are announced by Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford. Pictured top inset: Jacke Johnston will face Henry Hawkins for Seat 3 in the November 9 general election. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
40 Responses to “Century Election: Hawkins, Johnston In Runoff; McMurray Jackson Elected”
CONGRATS MRS JACKSON I WORKED WITH HER FOR A LONG TIME SHE IS THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB HONEST AND HARD WORKING SHE IS EXACTLY WAT CENTURY NEEDS UNLIKE SOME OF THE CROOKS CENTURY HAS HAD IN THE PAST INCLUDING MAYORS
Angela,
You don’t have to worry, Sandra Jackson will not be sleeping during any official business. In fact, she will keep the rest of them up. No sleeping when Sandra Jackson is around. This woman is Awesome.
Century you are totally blessed to have her in your corner.
Good Luck Sandra and May God continue to bless you.
Go Girl!!!!
Congratulations Sandra McMurray! One day I’ll be able to say I knew you way back when you were a senior in Century High School working at Hardee’s making things work for you and your boys! I’m glad that I could be a part of your getting to where you are today! You were one of the few who remembered to call me upon completion of your training and going to work just to say “thank you” and I appreciated that!
This is to Concerned Citizen from Oct. 7:
Those of you who think Mrs. Jacke Johnston, is just “going with the gang” must not Mrs. Johnston very well. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Byrneville Elementary School, and those who know her best will tell you, she does not just “go with gang” on anything! She votes and does what is best for her school. That is EXACTLY what she will do for the people of Century. She is not a YES man at all. She is what Century needs. May God bless Mrs. Johnston and her family. Good Luck Mrs. Johnston in the upcoming election. Make Century Proud!
REGARDING:
“Hawkins votes HIS convictions?! Wasn’t he elected to be a voice for the people of Century? He’s not there to vote HIS convictions. He is there to represent the citizens of this town.”
If he is convinced something is bad for Century, he is morally obligated to vote against it. If he is convinced something is good for Century, he is morally obligated to vote for it. He is not elected to poll the people on every issue and then vote according to how he thinks they want him to vote because he may have more information than they do.
Therefore, he SHOULD vote his convictions.
If at the end of his term, the voters of Century disagree with the job he has done, they are free to vote for him or against him. It doesn’t matter whether I agree or disagree with their decision.
David for personal integrity
@Concerned: Hawkins votes HIS convictions?! Wasn’t he elected to be a voice for the people of Century? He’s not there to vote HIS convictions. He is there to represent the citizens of this town. Voting no on every whim and not even showing up for important meetings is in no way representing our citizens.
Congratulations Sandra!!!!!! I am so glad that a good honest and decent person has been elected. Now if people will vote right we might be able to break up that little threesome that always caters to the Mayor and Council President no matter what the issue is. Mr Hawkins might vote no on most things but at least he votes his convictions and not those of others.I don’t know Ms. Johnston but it just seems she is following the gang, but i do hope if she is elected she will remember that she is there to represent the people and not just the Mayor and Council President
we need to keep HENRy
Congrats to you Mrs. McMurray I’m not a member of Florida but if i was you would of had my vote. I don’t know you but i do know Mrs. Savage and i really think she would of been after money instead of well being of the town.
Congratulations Sandra on Seat 5, Good Luck Jacke, for Seat 3… We need someone like you in there… BEEP BEEP, VOTE JACKE JOHNSTON!!!
REGARDING:
“those who literally live right on the line as family friends of ours do”
A line has two sides and if they are on the outside, they aren’t on the inside.
On the good side, they could probably petition the Town of Century to annex their house and get in on the city slicker side.
David offering hope
Congratulations Sandra!! You will do a great job!! I sure do miss our morning talks over coffee!!
Good Luck Jacke!!
Ditto to Karen’s comments…….Couldn’t have said it any better!!
CONGRATULATIONS, SANDRA……YOU WILL DO A FINE JOB!!!!
By-the-way, we miss you at CenCI. Hope you’re doing well & wish you the BEST!
I know Mama & Hubby are extremely proud of their special lady.
Teresa
I don’t know what hawkins does in his office, but one thing for sure, he isn’t the man of god that he pretends to be
I’d find it hard to say that someone in Bluff Springs lives in Century. I was referring to those who literally live right on the line as family friends of ours do. But as I said, it is non-consequential as the law is written that they can’t vote in Century elections.
REGARDING:
“. . referring to those who technically live in Century, but are outside the city limits. If they don’t receive city services . . ”
Those of us who live outside the towny limits do not technically live in Century even if we get our natural gas from Century, even if we get our medicine there, even if we get our groceries there.
A Century address is often the post office, not an address within the town limits. It used to even be called Rural Route One, Rural Route Two, et cetera and was then shortened simply to Route One, Box 128A for example. Then they changed the address to things like 151 Bluff Springs Road, Century, FL and that fooled people into thinking Bluff Springs lay inside Century .
David in the town limits of Bluff Springs
(just hasn’t had a meeting since around 1930)
I have known and worked with Sandra for many years. She will bring professionalism and integrity to seat 5 on the council board. Congratulations and I know you will do a great job.
Rhonda, I think the person was referring to those who technically live in Century, but are outside the city limits. If they don’t receive city services, then what is the need for them to be able to vote? The waters do get muddied when you have folks on Highway 4 West who live right on the line and do get some city services and some county services, but are still outside the city limits and can’t vote. I could understand them wanting to vote, but the law is the law.
quote: “I think that if you have a Century address you should be able to vote for a Century seat…. that is just what I think….”
I think that if you want to vote…you should take the time to register where you reside…we all know that some people “stay” here and there and have 10 addresses and names…so by your logic, they could vote in 10 different elections…thus, possibly placing 10 votes in a national or state election.
““I think that if you have a Century address you should be able to vote for a Century seat…. that is just what I think….”
I’ll point out that some people on Highway 97 a little south of Atmore have a Century mailing address. People in Bratt have a Century mailing address. I don’t see folks in Bratt and on Highway 97 having much input into Century’s business.
REGARDING:
“I think that if you have a Century address you should be able to vote for a Century seat…. that is just what I think….”
Whereas I think that is a silly idea. If you have a Century Post Office mailing address but do not live within the town limits, you should not vote on what they do. Further, that’s been established law for centuries.
David thinking
Speak for yourself, Century Girl! Henry Hawkins has never effectively represented this citizen!
Congratulations Councilwoman McMurray- Jackson… Your mom is looking over you and I am sure she is very proud. I am proud that you took on the race and WON! Intelligence, experience and education are so important to do this job. You are a successful business owner and have had a very successful career in corrections. I know you will make the citizens of Century proud as well.
Maybe the people are finally realizing that serving on The city council is a job that SHOULD be taken seriously, the seats should be filled with educated people WILLING to do their homework… not just show up and go with the flow by following everyone else! I think that’s one of the things that people don’t understand about Councilman Hawkins… When he votes on something-He has done his homework! If he votes No then there is a good reason… Many of the others chose to just follow suit…instead of studying, educating themselves & effectively representing the people!
Proud of you Ms. Sandra and good luck Council
an Hawkins!
Proud of ya’ Sandra and good luck, Councilman Hawkins!
Mr. Feed Up you you should run for public office
A question was asked the other day, How much does a vote in Century worth? Now you know – its not how much money you raise, or slander of the tongue you do its about integerty, honesty and your own merit. To winners congratulation – To the ones that did not win, you did everything in the book to win, including placing your sign on a church ground, that is a no no just in case you decide to try this again in four years a little piece of advise, give the reason you want the position and go for it, voters have more respect for you when you have respect for the other person that is running for the same position.
Congrats to Ms. Sandra !!! And hopefully Ms Johnston will win in the run off.. Seriously need to campaign between now and then so we can get Henry out of there.
sandra is a fine person.
she will do a great job for the town.she will have the best interrest of century on her mind. she will work for everyone .she has great morals and will always have the people of century at heart.
GO JACKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE NEED SOMEONE LIKE YOU…. WE NEED HELP
@Angela what are you talking about? Hawkins has not won the election. There will be a runoff in November. I certainly hope the people of Century continue to vote for CHANGE. Also, regarding the absentee ballots, you must not be very familiar with the way absentee voting works. I’d suggest you educate yourself on that before you make such sweeping judgments about those of us who chose to vote using an absentee ballot.
Yeah, they go to the nursing homes and elderly and “help” them all vote….It’s a crock….
I can not believe that many folks voted for Henry Hawkins. He is so horrible!!! I just hope that this McMurray will at least stay awake in the meetings….WOW, Century—-I thought you all would wake up. I guess you will get what you vote for….So quit complaining so much. You had a chance to make a difference—and you seem to blow it every time.
Never say your vote doesn’t count, especially an absentee ballot! Congratulations Jacke! We’re behind you 100%
congrats to sandra
YEA YEA YEA JACKE (THAT IS MY LIL SISTER) !!!!!!!!!!!! YOU GO GIRL !!!!!!!!!!! LOVE YA
I think that if you have a Century address you should be able to vote for a Century seat…. that is just what I think….
you guys actually voted for Henry???????
williem they cheat with absentees and you know it
watch what happens with the absentees
With only a couple of hundred voters (if that many) showing up to vote, then this shouldn’t take very long.
Go Sandra!
The only this this will change is who we make the check out to for the next couple of years!